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Socceroos' World Cup qualifier group wrap

Officials at FFA have been working hard to gather video footage of all opponents in their 2018 World Cup qualification group.

This is easier said than done in some cases. Jordan present no problem but Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh can be trickier. Until now.

These teams have all played twice in the past week and eager analysts will be ready in Sydney to get their hands on the latest offerings from the next opponent.

Bangladesh head to Perth on September 3 for its third game of the qualification campaign and Australia's second. Yet, the tactics and strategy on display from the South Asians as they lost 3-1 to Kyrgyzstan last Thursday and drew 1-1 with Tajikistan on Tuesday may not give as many pointers as hoped.

It could well be that by the time the Bengal Tigers come to Australia, or even by the time you read this, there will be a new coach.

Lodewijk de Kruif is currently the man in charge but the Dutchman may not be around for much longer. This is not just a reaction to the point from the first two games. De Kruif was fired from the job last November but has been re-employed on a temporary, more casual basis.

There are signs that the two parties are heading for another separation. Take the coach's comments after his team tied Afghanistan 1-1 in a friendly earlier in June. Despite going into a 1-0 lead, Bangladesh let in a late equaliser.

“But then it was again the typical Bengali behaviour,” he said. “I pointed out to my players yesterday, day before yesterday and in the last two years that when they lead 1-0, they step back to start to defend instead of trying for the second or third.

"I have instructed them to try and make it two or three and kill the game there, but they are stepping back and making things difficult.

"They have to concentrate for full 90 or 90-plus minutes. I'm giving training and information on it but nothing is coming though.”

Something came through on Tuesday and that was more of the same. Jahid Hasan Ameli had put the host ahead in Dhaka to thrill the 12,000 fans who had turned out for the game on a wet evening.

His 15th strike in the international arena had Bangladesh heading for a welcome three points and deserved too as the South Asians had been intense yet controlled against the Central Asians.

Yet, Tajikistan, reduced to ten men midway through the second half, earned a share of the spoils two minutes from time thanks to a Fathulloev Fathullo free-kick.

The shot may have been tough to stop but the set piece itself had been totally unnecessary. If fans had been angry after the defeat to Kyrgyzstan, with the referee getting plenty of abuse, it was nothing compared to the disappointment felt as the Tajiks' ten men scored.

De Kruif, sat up in the stands after being banned from the dugout, shook his head and who knows how his bosses at the Bangladesh Football Federation feel?

It's hard to say but vice-president Tabith Awal watched the game sat next to an unnamed Spanish coach.

Some sections of the local media have already pronounced the campaign to reach the next stage of qualification dead but skipper Manumal Islam doesn't agree.

“Securing more points from remaining six matches is possible because in football anything can happen,” the midfielder told local media.

“It is a game where Germany scored seven goals against Brazil. However, we must carry the momentum to our next matches and keep up the good work.”

Islam also called for a lengthy training camp before the clash with the Socceroos.

That was the only draw of the group so far. Jordan, like Australia, has won its sole game so far with Hassan Abdel Fatah getting all three goals in the 3-1 win in Tajikistan including a 40 yard looping half-volley.

Australian fans will get a chance to see the experienced attacking midfielder who plays his club football in Qatar later, first its Bangladesh with or without the Dutch coach.